TOEFL Speaking Practice Tests

1. The student services office is beside the main entrance.

   Keep beside and main entrance; they identify the office location.

2. Please bring the original document and one photocopy.

   Include both the original document and one photocopy.

3. New students can collect their identification cards after lunch.

   Keep new students, identification cards, and after lunch.

4. The office does not process applications on Friday afternoons.

   Protect does not and Friday afternoons. Dropping the negative changes the rule.

5. You should check the online portal before visiting the information desk.

   Keep the order: check the online portal before visiting the desk.

6. If your address has changed, update your personal details before you submit the form.

   Keep the condition and sequence: address changed, update details, then submit.

7. Students who need financial advice can book a private appointment with a trained member of staff.

   Include who needs advice, a private appointment, and a trained staff member.

You have agreed to take part in a research study about how students use university services. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.

8. Thank you for speaking with me today. Think about a recent time when you needed help from a university office or service. What did you need, and how did you try to get it?

   Sample answer and review

   Last month I needed a letter confirming that I was enrolled at university. I first checked the student portal, but I could not find the right form. I emailed the student services office and explained why I needed the letter. A staff member sent me a link and told me which details to include. I submitted the form that afternoon and received the letter two days later. Asking a specific question saved me another trip to campus.

9. In your daily life as a student, how do you usually find information about campus services — for example online portals, staff, friends, or notices?

   Sample answer and review

   I usually start with the university portal because it is available even when offices are closed. I check opening times and the documents I need before travelling. If the instructions are unclear, I email a staff member rather than relying only on friends. Friends can point me in the right direction, but their situation may be different. Last week I checked a deadline with the office because two classmates had given me different dates.

10. Some students prefer to solve problems online, while others prefer speaking to a person. Which approach do you prefer when you need help, and why?

    Sample answer and review

    I prefer handling simple requests online, such as downloading a form or updating my address. It saves travel time, and I can keep a copy of what I submitted. For a complicated problem, I would rather speak to a person. For example, if a fee appeared twice on my account, I would want someone to explain it and confirm the correction. So my choice depends on whether I just need information or need someone to resolve a problem.

11. Do you think universities should move more student services fully online? What would be the main advantage, and what problem might that create?

    Sample answer and review

    Universities should move routine services online, but they should keep a way to speak to staff. The main advantage is access: students can submit a request after work instead of taking time off to visit an office. The problem is that unclear forms can leave people stuck, especially if their case does not fit the available choices. I would support an online system with clear instructions and a contact option for unusual requests. That would offer convenience without leaving students without help.

1. The fitness centre opens at seven every morning.

   Keep seven and every morning, not just an opening time.

2. Clean towels are available beside the changing rooms.

   Include clean towels and beside the changing rooms.

3. Students cannot use the swimming pool without a valid membership card.

   Protect cannot and without a valid membership card.

4. The beginner exercise class has moved from Tuesday to Wednesday.

   Keep the old and new days in order: Tuesday to Wednesday.

5. Please leave your sports bag inside a locker during the training session.

   Keep inside a locker and during the training session.

6. Because the main court is being repaired, basketball practice will take place in the east hall.

   Hold the reason, basketball practice, and the new location in the east hall.

7. Anyone who has not exercised recently should speak to an instructor before joining the advanced class.

   Protect has not exercised recently, before joining, and advanced class.

You have agreed to take part in a research study about exercise and student wellbeing. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.

8. I'd like to start with your experience. Can you describe a recent time when you exercised or were physically active, and explain why you chose that activity?

   Sample answer and review

   On Sunday I went for a long walk with my cousin. We had both spent most of the week sitting at desks, so we wanted an activity that did not need equipment or a booking. We walked through a nearby park for about an hour and talked as we went. I felt less tired afterwards, even though I had expected to feel worn out. I chose walking because it was easy to fit into the day and we could go at our own pace.

9. How does exercise fit into your normal week? When do you usually move your body, and what tends to get in the way?

   Sample answer and review

   I usually walk for twenty minutes after dinner, and I try to use the stairs on campus. A short walk is easier for me to maintain than a long gym session because I do not need to travel anywhere first. Assignments sometimes get in the way, especially near a deadline. When that happens, I take a shorter walk rather than dropping the routine completely. I also ask a friend to join me once a week, which gives me another reason to go outside.

10. Some people prefer exercising alone, while others prefer doing it with friends or in a class. Which do you prefer, and why?

    Sample answer and review

    I prefer exercising with a friend because I am more likely to keep the appointment. If I plan to walk alone, I sometimes decide to stay home and finish another task. When someone is waiting for me, I make the time. We can also talk during a walk, so it feels like a social break. I still enjoy exercising alone when I need quiet, but for a regular routine, having a partner helps me stay consistent.

11. Do you think universities should do more to encourage busy students to exercise regularly? What would that look like in practice?

    Sample answer and review

    Yes, universities could make exercise easier to fit around classes. Short activities at lunchtime would help students who cannot spend an entire evening at a gym. Clear information about free facilities would also be useful, because some students assume every activity costs money. I would avoid making one type of exercise compulsory. Students have different schedules and needs, so a choice of walking groups, beginner classes, and flexible facility hours would encourage more people to take part.

1. The digital learning centre is on the second floor.

   Keep digital learning centre and second floor.

2. Students can borrow a tablet for up to three days.

   Protect up to three days; this is a limit, not a fixed loan length.

3. The online workshop begins at nine thirty on Monday.

   Keep nine thirty and Monday together.

4. Please do not share your account password with another person.

   Protect do not share and account password.

5. Technical support is available by phone until eight in the evening.

   Include by phone and until eight in the evening.

6. If the video does not load correctly, refresh the page and check your internet connection.

   Keep the condition and both actions: refresh the page and check the connection.

7. Students who complete the digital research course will receive a certificate at the end of the semester.

   Include completing the digital research course and the end of the semester.

You have agreed to take part in a research study about digital learning tools. You will have a short online interview with a researcher. The researcher will ask you some questions.

8. Think back to a recent time when a digital tool — an app, website, or device — helped you learn something. What were you trying to do, and how did the tool help?

   Sample answer and review

   Recently I used an online tutorial to learn how to make a spreadsheet chart for an assignment. I understood the data, but I could not find the right menu in the program. The tutorial showed each step on screen, and I paused it while trying the steps myself. When my chart looked different, I replayed that part instead of starting again. The tool helped because I could work at my own speed and check the result straight away.

9. In a typical study week, which digital tools do you use most often, and when do you usually use them?

   Sample answer and review

   During a typical week I use the university portal to check assignments and a calendar app to plan deadlines. I usually do that on Monday morning so I know what to work on first. I also use a shared document for group projects because everyone can add ideas without meeting at the same time. For difficult topics, I sometimes watch a short tutorial after class. I try to choose tools for a specific task rather than opening several apps while studying.

10. Some people believe online workshops are just as effective as in-person classes. Do you agree? Why or why not?

    Sample answer and review

    Online workshops can be as useful as in-person classes for some tasks, but not for everything. If I am learning software, seeing the instructor's screen and trying each step on my computer works well. A recording also lets me review a part I missed. However, for a practical activity that needs equipment or close feedback, being in the room is better. I would choose the format based on what I need to learn and how easily I can ask questions.

11. Do you think teachers and universities should set clearer rules about using technology for assignments? What rules would be useful?

    Sample answer and review

    Yes, teachers should explain which digital tools are allowed for each assignment. Students need to know whether they can use a tool to check spelling, organise notes, or generate material. Clear rules would reduce confusion and help students show their own work. Teachers should also explain how to credit sources and protect private information. I would prefer a short set of examples linked to the assignment rather than a long rule that students do not understand.